According to the latest update from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the lean season is almost over for most of the Horn of Africa. There are however a few areas in Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia still facing emergency.
Even when the crops are harvested, after the lean season, the troubles are far from over for this vulnerable region. Did you know that post-harvest losses due to poor storage facilities continue to be one of the major factors contributing to food and nutrition insecurity? According to this report, "losses amounting from poor storage and handling often reach as high as 70 percent."
The FAO is now training artisans in eastern Kenya in the fabrication of airtight metal silos to prevent these losses. Smart, common-sense initiatives like this one could make a significant difference to the food and nutrition security of this region over the longterm. In the meantime, malnutrition rates will continue to be high, especially in children, and especially when a low supply of nutritious food is only available at high prices.
In the last few months, from our factory in Providence, Rhode Island, we have shipped thousands of boxes of Plumpy'Nut to the Horn of Africa in order to help meet the nutritional needs of the many thousands of children needlessly suffering from severe acute malnutrition. We could not have shipped as many boxes to this region without your ongoing support.
From all of us at Edesia, we wanted to take this moment to sincerely thank you.
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